My recent trip to the Inn at Westwynd Farm was combined with a “kidcation” to Hershey Park, and while the roller coasters were the high point for my girls, the highlight for me was the chance to stay at this fabulous farm and inn. The Inn at Westwynd Farm had been on my “B&B Bucket List” for awhile, so when planning our end-of-school trip, there was some method to my madness in taking the kids to Hershey Park, just three miles from the inn.

Take a big dose of romance, combine it with a gorgeous horse farm, add a kid-friendly attitude, and you begin to understand the Inn at Westwynd Farm. Now imagine huge helpings of extra amenities like a guest fridge filled with wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, popcorn, Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, plus four or five different offerings for afternoon refreshments, along with free wi-fi, and you’ll fully appreciate the haute hospitality and extra value here. Gorgeous rolling hills with horses grazing, manicured gardens and lilies popping open everywhere complete the picture.

We stayed in the Landar room, which featured a fireplace, deep double Jacuzzi tub, king bed and a private porch and entrance. I had to admit the romantic features of this room were wasted on me and my nine and eleven year old girls, who were far more impressed with the chocolate kisses and Hershey bars on the dresser. I made a note to myself to return with the husband next time. I did, later truly appreciate the silky high thread count sheets and amazingly comfortable bed as I fell asleep for the best night sleep I’d had in weeks.

My youngest child went right to work making friends and managed to find her way to the kitchen to help Carolyn Troxell, the inn’s co-owner and innkeeper, make zucchini bread for the next morning. Carolyn’s husband Frank had no trouble luring both daughters away from the kitchen  to see the horses and the barn. We all got the chance to meet the goats, alpacas, horses, cats and barn dogs, which were a highlight for the girls. My youngest stayed behind to help feed and brush the horses while my older daughter and I set off to explore the waterfall, koi pond and gardens next to the inn.

Just three miles from the thrills and chills of Hershey Park, I was impressed with how quickly the landscape changed from outlets and amusement parks to the rolling hillsides and farms of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The inn offers a perfect bucolic retreat for rest and relaxation, with complete access to the restaurants, outlet shopping, concerts, caverns and rides in Hershey. Yet once at the inn, it’s tough to think about leaving. Upper and lower living rooms featuring snacks and TVs, ambling porches, a library with a guest computer, plus a barn filled with interesting animals mean that common space and built-in entertainment are plentiful.

Rarely does one inn do so well catering to diverse interests, yet here honeymoon couples can easily co-vacation with families and corporate guests. Guest rooms are located throughout the house, and the two-story carriage house adjacent to the inn offers living and dining rooms, a kitchen and a bedroom spacious enough for a family or those wishing for extra privacy.

The note on the chalkboard in the dining room captures the essence of what vacations are all about here and hit home with me; it read “it doesn’t matter where you go in life, it’s who you have beside you”. The Inn at Westwynd Farm is a place to enjoy having those you love beside you. I did.

For More INNformation:

Inn at Westwynd Farm, 1620 Sandbeach Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036, 1-717-533-6764 or 877-Westwynd(937-8996). Rates: $109-189/nightly, a BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection member.

Fly Jet Blue direct from Boston to BWI or Philadelphia Airport, then drive under two hours to Hershey. Alternately, fly from Boston Logan to Harrisburg, and then it’s a twenty minute drive. Enjoy lovely country views, gourmet breakfasts and afternoon refreshments, and comforting amenities in rooms accented by antiques, fireplaces, jacuzzis and luxurious linens The inn is also fully equipped for business travelers with wi-fi access and a guest computer. Experience the attractions of Hershey and Pennsylvania Dutch country, go biking or canoeing, explore Amish Country and Civil War sites easily from the inn's central location.

      

According to Judy Hueber, innkeeper and co-owner of the Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield, NH, "Food is my life".  Her passion and love for fine food contributes to the inn and restaurant's success and the culinary getaways enjoyed by guests here.

Judy told BedandBreakfast.com, "We make yeast bread for dinner daily at the inn and have recently been adding savory muffins and bread sticks to the bread baskets. I'd like to share this recipe for cheese straws. They're great as an hors d'oeuvres with cocktails, set upright in wine glasses around the room, or wrapped in a linen napkin in a bread basket with the bread during dinner."

 

Chesterfield Inn Cheese Sticks
(Makes about 60 cheese sticks)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
pinch salt
1 1/2 sticks cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 pound cold cream cheese
5 tablespoons ice water
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

In a food processor, process the flour with the salt until blended. 

Add butter and cream cheese and pulse until the mixture resembles corn meal. With the machine on, add the ice water and pulse until the dough forms a ball. Halve the dough and flatten each piece into a square.  Wrap each piece in waxed paper and chill at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment. Roll out one  of the pieces of dough on a lightly floured surface to a 16 by 14 inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Trim the edges so that they're straight.

Beat the eggs with  the milk. Brush the dough with half of the egg wash. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and half of the peppers, seeds, and cheese. Using a pastry wheel, cut the dough lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips. Twist the end of each strip in opposite directions to shape the straws and arrange them 1/2 inch apart on the pans.

Bake about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a rack and let cool. Repeat for the remaining dough and ingredients.

Once cooled, serve them to guests or enjoy them as wonderful snacks or a dinner accompaniment. 

When you go:

Chesterfield Inn, 20 Cross Road, West Chesterfield, NH 03466, 800-365-5515

Resting on a hillside with sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley, the Chesterfield Inn is a romantic New Hampshire getaway set amid lush gardens. Each of the fifteen guest rooms at this New Hampshire luxury inn is richly appointed with an air of elegance and romance, and many include gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, or a private terrace. Your day starts with a hearty country breakfast, and each evening fresh cut flowers and candlelight provide the perfect backdrop for an incredible dining experience here.

 

We are reminded daily about the delicacy of our eco-system, and as we pause to honor Mother Earth on Earth Day, it seems appropriate to focus on an inn along Oregon's Coast with an eco-mission to match the grandeur of its scenery.  At Arch Cape Inn, nature takes center stage and the rigors of everyday life are washed away with walks along the beach. With inspiring architecture, this B&B, located near Cannon Beach, offers pristine views of the Pacific Ocean against the lush Oregon Coast Mountains. Nearby interpretive trails explain the history of the region and allow you to walk in the footsteps of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Hiking trails lead to beaches, mountain overlooks and onto the historic Oregon Coast Trail. Old growth forests give way to spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the many creeks that meet it. Meet Mother Nature here up close and personal.

After a hike, long walks on the beach delight beachcombers as they skirt the waves while tide pools await their discovery. Naturalists keep a watchful eye open for the many species of wildlife and birds that call Arch Cape, Oregon their home. Whale watchers spot migrating Gray, Sperm, Humpback and Orca Killer whales, during the winter and spring watching seasons. This is a naturalists' paradise.

The eco-emphasis translates into fine locavore dining here too. Chef Noah Kaufman serves a three course prix-fixe dinner, choosing only the highest quality locally sourced produce, meats, seafood and cheeses that he can find. Look forward to meals including locally foraged ingredients, including local berries, wild mushrooms and Oregon truffles. The inn's kitchen gardens provide fresh produce and herbs throughout the year.  Gourmet breakfasts the same locally grown ingredients is served daily, along with light appetizers and wine in the evenings.

Guest rooms feature up-close ocean views, some with private entrances, jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces and sitting areas. If you prefer to travel with your four-legged friend, three pet-friendly rooms offer tiled floors, special rugs and bedding for your four-legged traveling companion. Each room has its own exterior, ground-floor entrance, so that pets can easily come and go from the comfort of your room.

Putting their money where their mouth is, innkeepers and owners, Cynthia and Stephen Malkowski, donate a portion of proceeds from the inn to the North Coast Land Conservancy, to maintain the pristine setting that defines the grandeur of the inn and its environment.

When you go:

Arch Cape Inn, 31970 East Ocean Lane – Arch Cape, Oregon (OR) 97102 – 3 mi from Cannon Beach Oregon.  800-436-2848

A Storybook French Chateau with beautiful ocean views, European antiques, and original works of art. The building was built in 1994 and designed specifically as a boutique luxury inn to reflect the charm of a by gone era while still enjoying the benefits of modern conveniences. 

 

 

 Most people start the year with a pledge to improve themselves in some way. Rick Litchfield and Bev Davis, owners of the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport, ME, started 2010 with a different kind of resolution.  On January 1, Captain Lord Mansion pledged to donate a dime for each guest who stays at the Captain Lord Mansion from January 1 - October 31, 2010 as part of a campaign they call “A Dime for Time”. The Dime for Time funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer awareness and research programs at the culmination of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yet, there is a twist:  If the guest has visited once before, the dime is doubled. If the guest has visited 20 times, the dime is multiplied by 20.  In short, the pledge comes from the number of visits they’ve had multiplied by 10-cents.  If a guest has had 30 prior visits, the donation is $3.00 for that guest.  After 31 years of owning the Captain Lord Mansion, Litchfield and Davis know that the contribution for most guests is multiplied by at least five, and up to 80 times for some guests!  

The Dime for Time campaign was kicked off on New Year’s Eve with a pledge of $500 from Litchfield and Davis, representing approximately a dime for every guestroom booked in 2009.  Guests are encouraged to contribute to the fund throughout the year too, and many have doubled, tripled or quadrupled the donation made by Rick and Bev.
  
The campaign was created in honor of Bev Davis’s sister, who died of breast cancer.  During the 2009 October Breast Cancer Awareness month, the notion of helping others with breast cancer spurred the idea to create this campaign.   “We think one of the most meaningful wishes a breast cancer survivor has is for time; time to spend with their families and time to enjoy the rest of their lives,” said Rick Litchfield.  “This campaign will allow Captain Lord Mansion and its guests to contribute throughout 2010, allowing each person to make a difference, or to honor someone they know who has been touched by breast cancer” finished Litchfield.  
 
The Dime for Time program will culimate the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 19-21) when breast cancer survivors will be offered a complimentary two-night stay at the Captain Lord Mansion.  Those wishing to be considered for free stays will register on the Captain Lord Mansion Facebook page in September, 2010. Each breast cancer survivor who is selected for this weekend at the inn will receive a complimentary two-night stay, chair massages and attendance at a reception where Captain Lord Mansion will present the check to the AmericanCancer Society for funds raised through the Dime for Time program.  
 

Very few people have the luxury of saying that breast cancer has not affected someone they know or love. This Mother's Day, why not consider the gift of relaxation for your Mom so that she too can be included and offer a dime for time for women with breast cancer?  Simply call Captain Lord Mansion to request your gift certificate for a relaxing stay for Mom that will help others too.

If you go:
Captain Lord Mansion, Pleasant and Green Streets or PO Box 800, Kennebunkport ME 04046-0800, 1-800-522-3141

The Captain Lord Mansion is a premier bed and breakfast inn located in the heart of Kennebunkport, Maine.  Combining luxury amenities with spa services, an extensive gift and wine shop, beautifully appointed guest rooms and haute hospitality, all within Southern Maine’s extensive beaches and recreation, Captain Lord Mansion is the ideal choice for romantic get aways and celebration vacations. An AAA four diamond rated inn for 29 years, a 2009 Top 30 Small Hotels choice by Condé Nast Traveler readers and a 2009 Fodors Choice Selection, the Captain Lord Mansion takes its place among New England’s most distinctive inns.  Recently joining BedandBreakfast.com's Diamond Collection, Captain Lord Mansion offers distinctive surroundings for sophisticated travelers. For more information on Captain Lord Mansion, visit www.captainlord.com or call 800-522-3141 to order Captain Lord Mansion gift certificates. 

 

Some innkeepers are shy, some are gregarious.  Julie Rolsen, co-owner of Hannibal, MO’s Garth Woodside Mansion and Woodside Dining Room is not only a ham, she’s also a Kitchen Diva!  Since ham and kitchens go so well together, it’s no surprise that Julie wants to share her kitchen insights with others.  But 24-7?  Julie is the only innkeeper I know who can pull off a kitchen cam, where guests tune in and watch on their computers as Julie prepares breakfast and dinner 27-7-365! In fact, she shares, “Even though it seems like there are 27 hours in a day there is really only 24 of them here”. When Julie is not in the kitchen, a lively Garth video is viewed, but for the most part, she’s there making breakfast in the morning, prepping for dinner in the afternoon and cooking dinner in the evenings.  Julie has joined forces with Justin.tv to bring the kitchen cam to this BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection inn as a “hook to the cook” for everyone to enjoy!  The kitchen cam is permanently located in the center of the kitchen, situated perfectly for catching Julie’s every move. 

Photos and videos, Facebook  and Twitter are all ways innkeepers are connecting with guests, but kitchen cams?  Only Julie as far as I know.  Guests love watching Julie behind the scenes in the kitchen.  She shared stories about one couple who brought their small laptop to the dining room and watched her make their dinner while they were on the other side of the wall. How’s that for keeping you on your toes?  After they’ve left, guests will sit down for their morning coffee in their own kitchens and tune in to see Julie in her kitchen working away.  A live chat option allows for conversation too, so for true Garth fans, this is a great way to stay connected.  It also keeps Julie on her toes, as she never knows when the health inspector…or a minister might tune in. In fact, one of her most avid fans is a minister who frequents Garth Woodside Mansion regularly, and when he can’t get there in person he tunes in via the kitchen cam.

Julie’s kitchen prowess goes beyond breakfasts for Garth Mansion guests and dinners at Woodside dining. She also owns the Main Street Kitchen Store in Hannibal where a range of specialty kitchen items and foods are available. Due to all her online followers, Julie has made many of the most popular items available for ordering online.  Simply visit Main Street Kitchen Store to browse through the Kitchen Diva’s stock.

And to round out her cutting edge kitchen corner, Julie also posts a kitchen blog which includes her musings about everything including the kitchen sink!  Read about St Patty’s Day green pie, daffodils, the llama herd (about to double in size with the imminent expected arrival of two babies) and more. I’ve just read through many of the entries, and the blog offers insight into Julie’s light hearted humor and the life of an innkeeper.

While visiting Garth Woodside Mansion is person is the best way to get to know Julie, and her husband, John, a retired USAF colonel (and equally amusing, kind and fun innkeeper) watching Julie on the kitchen cam or reading about her kitchen musings in her blog, are the next best thing to being there.  Take a real trip to Garth Woodside Mansion, and then follow along from the armchair.  Believe me, you’ll get hooked on the cook!

If you go:eath, and 125th anniversary of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) dinner is offered with a Modified American Plan for only $20.10 per couple.

Garth Woodside Mansion, 11069 New London Road, Hannibal, MO 63401, 888-427-8409.
Voted the # 1 bed and breakfast in Missouri by inngoers. The 39 acre estate, stunning views, grand architecture, uncommon full breakfast, canopy beds, plush robes. Unusual amenities  and more are preserved at Garth Woodside Mansion the ideal pick for your stay in Mark Twain Country.For 2010, the ‘Year of Twain’(100 years after his d

 

Watch Julie make a pie in 34 seconds!  Go to www.garthmansion.com to see a number of additional Garth Woodside Mansion videos.